IFRC condemns hate speech of Turkish Red Crescent Chair Kınık

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The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has condemned Turkish Red Crescent Chair Kerem Kınık over his homophobic remarks and hate speech about the Pride Week.

Sharing a brief statement on its official Twitter account, the Federation has stated the following about Kınık, who is also its Vice President:

"The views expressed by Dr. Kerem Kınık do not represent the views of the IFRC. These words are both wrong and offend us all.

"We condemn homophobia and hate speech of all kinds and we stand in solidarity with LGBTQI+ communities around the world.

"The IFRC has a clear Code of Conduct which forbids any form of homophobia, hate speech or prejudice and all staff and representatives are bound by that code, including the Vice-President.

"We are assessing our next course of action."

A statement on the recent comments of Dr Kerem Kinik. pic.twitter.com/BfkDQMK69i

— IFRC (@ifrc) June 29, 2020

Statement by Kınık

Following this condemnation by the IFRC, Kerem Kınık has made a statement. Indicating that what he wrote was intended as an attempt "to protect children from harms of every stripe," Kınık has said that "it is a responsibility in the face of children's silent scream."

Fahrettin Altun expressed support

Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun has posted a brief message on Twitter, expressing solidarity with Kınık.

"LGBT propaganda poses a grave threat to freedom of speech," Altun has argued and said, "The IFRC became complicit in that attack by targeting Dr. Kerem Kınık - a doctor who devoted his entire life to protecting children around the world." "We won't be silenced," Altun has exclaimed.

LGBT propaganda poses a grave threat to freedom of speech.@ifrc became complicit in that attack by targeting @drkerem — a doctor who devoted his entire life to protecting children around the world.

We won’t be silenced!

— Fahrettin Altun (@fahrettinaltun) June 29, 2020

What happened?

Kerem Kınık, who is both the Chair of Turkish Red Crescent Society and the Vice President of the IFRC, tweeted a message on June 28. This message was interpreted as targeting the İstanbul LGBTI+ Pride Week.

In his message Kınık said, "We will not let human dignity be trampled upon. We will protect the fitra [an Islamic term referring to 'original disposition'] and the mental health of our children. We will struggle no matter who spoil the healthy disposition and instill pedophilic dreams into the brains of children as modernity by making the abnormal look like normal. No way!"

İnsanlık onurunu çiğnetmeyeceğiz.

Fıtratı ve çocuklarımızın ruh sağlığını koruyacağız. Sağlıklı yaradılışı bozan ve iletişim gücü ile anormali normal gibi gösterip pedofilik hayalleri çağdaşlık diye gencecik zihinlere zerk eden her kim olursa olsun mücadele edeceğiz.

Yok öyle!

— Dr Kerem Kınık (@drkerem) June 28, 2020

(TP/SD)